Redskins, Cowboys salary-cap appeals dismissed

ATLANTA -- Special master Stephen Burbank has granted the NFL's motion to dismiss the grievance filed by the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins regarding the salary cap situation that occurred during the league's uncapped year, league counsel Jeff Pash said in Atlanta on Tuesday.

This means the leagueâs decision to impose a $36 million salary cap reduction over two years on the Redskins, as well as a $10 million cap reduction over two years for the Cowboys, will be upheld. Those reductions were the result of the way both teams structured player contracts when the NFL was working without a salary cap in 2010.

In a joint statement, the Redskins and Cowboys indicated they will not pursue any further legal action in court. The matter is effectively closed.

âWe pursued our salary cap claim pursuant to the CBA and we respect and will abide by the arbitrator's decision to dismiss," the statement read. "We will continue to focus on our football teams and the 2012 season.â

During the same news conference, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said owners voted Tuesday to mandate thigh and knee pads for all players starting in 2013. While the proposal was passed by the owners, discussions with the NFLPA will now take place to get to the point where the rule is eventually imposed.